Heartland Food Products to add 160 jobs by 2017

Heartland Food Products Group announced a project Monday to invest $21.2 million to renovate and equip its leased Northwestside production facilities and to create 160 new jobs by 2017.

Founded in 2004, the Carmel-based company employs nearly 300 full-time workers and produces drink mixes and zero-calorie sweeteners.

Heartland also operates a production facility in the Netherlands.

The Indiana Economic Development Corp., according to a news release, has offered Heartland Food Products Group up to $1.2 million in conditional tax credits based on the company’s job creation plans.

Indianapolis also is offering an eight-year tax abatement worth $135,289 for the expansion at a 130,000-square-foot facility at 4635 W. 84th St. in Park 100. The company has two facilities in the business park totaling 435,000 square feet.

The expansion will be complete by year’s end, the news release said. The company is hiring for general manufacturing positions at www.heartlandfpg.com/careers.html. The new jobs will pay an average about $18 an hour.

“We are proud to be investing in the community in which we live, creating jobs and receiving the support of local and state officials,” Ted Gelov, chief executive officer of Heartland, said in a prepared statement.

“Indianapolis offers a strong local workforce, great logistical advantages and a manufacturing and technology infrastructure to fuel our growth.”